Perspectives from an English Historian who just happens to be Gay, Catholic, and a Democratic Socialist. Now back in the UK after 20 years of living in the United States. The Blog is eclectic in covering all these sides of my Life. Follow on Twitter at PaulBHalsall

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Let's be Clear - Postal Strike and SCABS

Whatever the rights and wrongs of the Royal Mail strike...

...If you take the job of a striking worker you are (forever) a

SCAB

Strikes are the only power that workers possess against oppressive management.

Once a strike is over, the employers almost always discard the SCABS in favour of experienced workers.

So for a few weeks you make a little money, but you will be forever a SCAB. You will have to hide that for the rest of your life.

I am not claiming it's a good idea, and no one has reported members of the public like me, who support workers using strikes as a power.

And I can actually see the rationale for the need to change the postal service.

That's not my point. javascript:void(0)Not being a SCAB was my point.

As far as I can see with my local postman, he works much harder physically than most people. He carries quite a lot of heavy stuff. When he is replaced (for vacations etc) things come three hours later.

And he is a nice cheerful guy.

Why the hell should he be laid off so that TNT can hire people on half the wages and no pension to deliver an inferior service?

The sheer idea, post on some RW blogs that postmen are lazy is, IMNSHO, sheer falsehood.

I was on here for someting totally different but you worry me! How can anyone resort to your level of debate?To state someone should rot in hell because they wish to keep there job and support their dependants is evil. I hope they are the ones that are retained!!! I am sure your hard working posty would feel mortified at your patronisation of his job. There are some who cannot strike and deserve you thoughts right now fare more than postmen!

I engage in different levels of debate. I think if you read through my blog it is exactly what it says it is - the (perhaps conflicted) thoughts of an Gay English Catholic Democratic Socliast (switch word order at will).